Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Crime Branch on Monday clarified why charges related to mob lynching have not been invoked so far in the Balianta case involving the death of a Government Railway Police (GRP) constable who was allegedly killed by locals over an attempt to rape allegation.

Odisha Crime Branch Director General Vinaytosh Mishra said the investigation is still underway, and evidence collected so far does not support the inclusion of mob lynching provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to Mishra, the BNS defines mob lynching as an assault carried out by five or more persons on the basis of caste, religion, sex, language, place of birth, or personal belief. He said these elements have not surfaced in the FIR or during the preliminary stages of the investigation.

“Since no such motive has come to light in the case so far, mob lynching charges have not been applied. However, if future investigation establishes such elements, the relevant sections can be added,” Mishra said.

The Crime Branch DG further informed that teams have visited both the spot of the incident and the local police station. Statements of several persons have been recorded and are being examined. Investigators are also analysing all videos circulating on social media related to the incident.

He added that not everyone present at the scene was involved in the killing, and efforts are underway to identify those directly linked to the assault that led to the death.

Notably, the Crime Branch is probing the alleged lynching of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain in Balianta on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on May 7.

According to reports, the incident took place at around 11.30 am when two women travelling on a scooter were allegedly hit from behind by two men riding a motorcycle, identified as Swain and his associate Om Prakash Rout.

After the women fell on the road, Swain allegedly assaulted them and attempted to rape one of the women. Following the incident, locals and passersby gathered at the spot and allegedly thrashed Swain to death. Several videos showing the assault went viral on social media.

So far, 11 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing of the 32-year-old constable.

Police have registered two separate cases in connection with the incident, one related to Swain’s murder and another concerning the alleged attempt to rape the woman.